DENVER, CO Christopher Kleingartner, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, Senior Design Architect in HDR's Denver, Colorado, architecture studio, has won the AIA10 Colorado Emerging Professional of the Year award in addition to the Most Sustainable Project award. Presented by the American Institute of Architects Colorado Chapter (AIA Colorado), the awards program honors the best design work from emerging professionals in the architecture industry. It is open to students, design professionals, and architects licensed for 10 years or less.

The Colorado Emerging Professional of the Year award highlights a student, architectural intern or architect who has displayed outstanding achievements in the field of design or allied arts, community involvement and dedication to the profession of architecture in Colorado. The qualifications include achievements in design work, community service and evidence of commitment to the profession.

Kleingartner also won the Most Sustainable Project award for a project that he completed with a previous employer. Other winners included Matthew Miller, a past HDR intern from the University of Cincinnati, who won the Portfolio award and an honorable mention for the Craftsmanship Architectural award.

This marks the 18th year that AIA Colorado has recognized the work of emerging professionals through a dedicated awards program. There were winners in 14 categories selected by a jury of architects that included Julianne Scherer, AIA, Managing Principal of the Denver studio.

"The competition was strong, though Christopher's work, involvement and commitment to the profession rose to the occasion," Scherer said. "He is a true steward of the craft of architecture, and he embodies design rigor, passion and the creativity needed to push the boundaries of the profession. After an intense day, we (the jury members) all agreed that the future of architecture in Colorado is alive and well given the talent displayed. It inspired us to think about our work with greater intention."